Are You Getting The BEST Inspection?

Are You Getting The BEST Inspection?

What YOU as a BUYER need to know..

The home looks nice and appealing but what about the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing and heating components of the home? These are a few of the items that should be looked at before surprise costs eat into your budget that you were not planning on. Most of the compliments that I receive from past clients say that this inspection was the most educational and thorough inspection that they have ever had; this is what I strive for. Calgary’s reputation was built by people with high integrity, standards, and honour. It may be old fashioned but I’m proud of it.

Merv Stark, RHI

StarkPro Property Inspections

-Partner of Chas Zemluk Real Estate-

Viewing the cosmetics of the home is nice but other items can have unexpected costs if they are not investigated before you buy your home. No home is perfect. The primary concern for home inspectors is safety issues and major issues that can really hurt the wallet. A good home inspector will educate you about the home and issues that can be expected while you own your home. The following contains a brief example of common issues that I, a registered home inspector, find during a home inspection and the recommendations that I make.

Our extremes in climate change are hard on roofing materials but this can often be extended by installing a few extra roof vents to improve air flow from within the attic. Having been raised in the Calgary construction industry, I have never seen as much wind damage (lifted shingles), as I have so far this year. I have noticed fewer inspectors carry long ladders to view roofs properly but I will always try my best to check the status of each and every roof I come across.

Structure of the home from footing to the roof peak will vary, even if the builders carry a good name. The sub-trades they hire might get fired, but this home could be the home that was not done correctly. Water coming into basements is an issue I come across and can generally be prevented by grading away from the home and having downspouts extended away from the home.

Electrical should always be viewed, including behind the main panel cover. Melted wires are just one of many items found that could be a safety issue. Some insurance companies charge more or insist on immediate corrections if aluminum wiring has been used in the home. Former “grow-ops” that were never discovered by the authorities is another item that can sometimes be found at the main electrical panel. Since becoming an inspector in 2004, all current home owners in my past case experiences did not know that they had been living under these conditions.

Furnace/boiler covers should also be removed so the burners can be examined. An experienced home inspector, having viewed thousands of burners, may suspect premature abuse of the system. These details can be contributed to type, and heating manufacture, year made, former grow-op, air conditioner, internal parts starting to fail or simply caused from not changing the air filter on regular basis. This list can go on. Some experienced home owners did not even know that a filter was in a furnace.

Plumbing includes water tanks and materials used for supply and waste piping. Cast iron waste piping may have extra cost for insurance and some insurance companies want galvanized supply water pipes to be replaced. Certain plastic supply types and connectors are known for failure and a good inspector will point this out to you. It seems to be a secret that if a water softener has been installed extra maintenance is required for a longer life on the water tank. This is an extra comment that I have added into my easy-to-read report for my clients.

Having been a former adult construction instructor I spend extra time with my clients so they will learn more about these and other components of the home that I feel they should know about. The report provided is a way for you to understand the minor and major issues you may be facing with your purchase; a valuable tool in your home purchasing decision making.

Yours truly,

Merv Stark, RH

StarkPro Property Inspections

-Partner of Chas Zemluk Real Estate-

 

Chas Zemluk

CIR Realty

Phone: 403-354-3777

Email: czemluk@cirrealty.ca

Website: www.calgaryhomeswithchas.com